Photo: Zarateman — Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Star of the Seas is the second ship of Royal Caribbean's Icon class, the LNG-powered generation that redefined the upper limit of cruise-ship scale. Built by Meyer Turku in Finland as a near-sister to the record-setting Icon of the Seas, she entered service in August 2025 as one of the largest cruise ships in the world, at about 248,663 gross tons and roughly 365 metres long across some twenty decks, capable of carrying well over 5,600 guests at double occupancy and around 7,600 at maximum.
She follows the Icon template of eight distinct neighborhoods, blending family zones, adults-only retreats, and thrill areas into a single hull. Her attractions include seven pools, a suite of six waterslides, and more than forty restaurants, bars, and lounges, along with a glass-domed venue crowning the bow. Like her lead sister she is propelled by dual-fuel generators capable of running on liquefied natural gas, reflecting Royal Caribbean's push toward lower-emission operation.
Star of the Seas was christened in 2025 with Kellie Gerardi, a commercial astronaut and science communicator, serving as godmother, a choice that echoed the ship's celestial name. Her debut positioned her as a flagship-caliber vessel from her first sailings.
Registered in Nassau, Bahamas, and homeported at Port Canaveral, Florida, Star of the Seas sails Caribbean cruises calling at Royal Caribbean's private destinations, and she remains in active service as a newly delivered ship, the second pillar of the Icon class alongside Icon of the Seas and the forthcoming Legend of the Seas.
Getting around — smart elevators: This ship uses Royal Caribbean's destination-dispatch "smart elevators," supplied by KONE. Instead of pressing a button inside the car, guests choose their deck at a console outside the elevators and are told which lettered car (A, B, C, and so on) to board. The system groups riders heading to the same decks to cut waiting time. The cars are arranged in two banks (22 in all on Icon of the Seas) set within oval atriums that feel more open than a traditional elevator lobby, and the system uses AI to adjust dispatching through the day while recovering energy from descending cars to help power those heading up.
Onboard Highlights
Signature attractions, dining, bars and entertainment aboard Star of the Seas.
Top attractions
- Category 6
The largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides including family raft slides and mat racer challenges. - Crown's Edge
An aerial adventure course positioned above the sea offering gravity-defying obstacles and views. - FlowRider
A surfing attraction where guests can attempt surfing and experience wipeouts with family and friends. - Splashaway Bay
An aquapark in the Surfside neighborhood designed for young cruisers with water slides and play areas. - Playscape
A creative and colorful play area where children can climb, explore, and let their imaginations soar.
Specialty dining
- Lincoln Park Supper Club
A 1930s Chicago-inspired supper club featuring multi-course American cuisine and sultry live jazz. - Chops Grille
A signature steakhouse offering quality cuts for celebratory milestone dinners.
Bars and lounges
- Lou's Jazz N' Blues
A live music venue featuring jazz and blues performances. - Dueling Pianos
A sing-along venue with spirited piano players performing live music.
Entertainment
- Back to the Future: The Musical
An Olivier Award-winning Broadway musical production featuring Marty McFly's high-flying adventure at sea.
Specifications
| Status | In service |
|---|---|
| Entered service | 2025 |
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean International |
| Class | Icon class |
| Gross tonnage | 250,800 GT |
| Guests (double occupancy) | 5,610 |
| Guests (maximum) | 7,600 |
| Crew | 2,350 |
| Est. annual guests | ≈ 295,000 / year (estimated) |
| Length | 365 m (1,198 ft) |
| Beam | 64.4 m (211 ft) extreme |
| Staterooms | 2,805 |
| Shipyard | Meyer Turku (Turku, Finland) |
| Christened by | Kellie Gerardi |
| Flag | Bahamas |
| Port of registry | Nassau, Bahamas |
| IMO number | 9829942 |
| Call sign | C6HS3 |
| Home port | Port Canaveral, Florida |
| Region | Caribbean |
About the Icon class class
A new LNG-powered flagship class and the largest cruise ships in the world, organized into eight themed neighborhoods.
Ownership & loyalty
Part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL).
Sister brands: Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Loyalty status match - members keep an equivalent tier across the group's brands:
- Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International) ↔ Captain's Club (Celebrity Cruises)
One-for-one tier status match across Royal Caribbean Group brands: Gold <-> Classic, Platinum/Emerald <-> Select, Diamond <-> Elite, Diamond Plus <-> Elite Plus, Pinnacle Club <-> Zenith. - Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International) ↔ Venetian Society (Silversea Cruises)
One-for-one status match with Silversea Venetian Society: Gold <-> 1 day, Platinum/Emerald <-> 100 days, Diamond <-> 250 days, Diamond Plus <-> 350 days, Pinnacle Club <-> 500 days.
References
Descriptions on Cruise Ship Wiki are original write-ups paraphrased from public sources; facts are compiled from the references below and cross-checked. How we source our information.
- Photograph by Zarateman (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons - Primary ship photograph